The Los Angeles Lakers scored an impressive 128-112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies to open their best-of-seven first-round playoff series, and most of the credit went to their five best players: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
All of them, save for Russell, scored more than 20 points on Sunday; Russell came very close with 19. James and Davis were outstanding on the defensive end. Davis came up with seven blocked shots, while James had three blocks and two steals.
But it was the defense Jarred Vanderbilt played that may have been most pivotal in L.A.’s win on Sunday.
He often guarded either Ja Morant or Desmond Bane, and he held Morant to 18 points and six turnovers while forcing Bane to go 6-of-18 from the field.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham gave Vanderbilt his flowers after the game (at 3:40).
“It’s a testament to him, and it’s a teachable moment for all young basketball players out there,” Ham said. “They just think it’s all about making threes or dunking on people or whatever. If you’re able to lock in defensively, rebound, and really embrace that role, there will always be a place for you on a high-level basketball team and in a high-level league such as the NBA. His ability to just lock in and be selfless, taking tough matchups, diving on the floor, doing the dirty work, setting screens, going to the second or third action when he’s involved — it’s great. It’s invaluable. And I’m just happy we have an asset like that on our roster.”
Vanderbilt, who was acquired in February’s Russell Westbrook trade, is a truly unique player. Even though he is 6-foot-8 and is listed as a power forward, he can guard players at multiple positions, including smaller guards.
The Lakers were desperate for such a player over the last couple of seasons, and even if Vanderbilt isn’t quite the rebounder or offensive option some may want him to be, he has become invaluable and even indispensable for them.
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